Live fast, sell young... (O;

Sadly we are in a disposable age, and nothing is going to change that
short of major psychological re-programming.

Most of the componentry nowadays is miniaturised and complex, and
almost impossible to repair, so it is simply replaced.  (If it's still
in stock or findable..)  It's hard to generalise, but I would say the
things that kill cameras best, and therefore should be avoided are:

- excessive g-forces (eg dropping on concrete, hitting walls..)
- ingress of harmful stuff (eg dirt, water (inclduing from over zealous
cleaning), coffee, jam, dust..)
- exposure to extremes of temperature (+ condensation)
- long storage without use
- poor design or choice of lubricants

Unfortunately none of these are helped much by maintenance, unless you
plan to regularly dissassemble and clean it.  And unless you are very
good with such work, the likelihood is that you will make it worse
rather than better.  (`Ooops, where did that spring go?` `Gee, I wonder
what that little bit of plastic used to do?`, etc..)

My attitude to this is to simply sigh with resignation, and if they
offer a reasonably priced extended warranty, go for it!